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Memos reviewed on Baumann Road closure; fire officials say helipad access not impaired, commission takes no action
Summary
The Airport Advisory Commission reviewed engineering notes and fire-department memos about closing the east section of Baumann Road near the airport helipad. Engineers recommended overlay work but fire chiefs said existing gates and procedures preserve access; the commission recorded the findings and took no action.
The Airport Advisory Commission reviewed a package of emails and memos about the closure of the east segment of Baumann Road and access to the airport helipad, and recorded the materials without taking formal action.
The clerk read an engineering assessment stating, "The existing road cannot accommodate any traffic in its current condition," and recommended cleaning, crack filling and a fabric-backed two-inch asphalt overlay to restore the surface. The reading attributed that assessment to an emailed response from Brian Gorbitt.
A review from Erin Sheelan of Kimley Horn cited grant-assurance No. 29 and the airport’s approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP), approved in 2016, noting the ALP already identifies the section beyond the gate and helipad as an area of potential development. The clerk read Sheelan’s memo explaining that, because the ALP was approved by the FAA, the plan acknowledges possible future changes to airport property.
The commission also heard several fire-department perspectives read into the record. Battalion Chief Brandon Vaccaro’s memo described the helipad as a location for helicopter parking and said air ambulances commonly use the ramp adjacent to the terminal; Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong’s memo stated the department has full access to the airport and suggested the dispute appears to be about road use rather than an immediate safety violation. A later memo from Fire Chief Adam Fenning, read by the clerk, said his site visit and review "reaffirmed the department’s position that current gates and access do not represent any delay in patient transfer" and that there is "no threat or compromise to public safety." The clerk also noted Fenning was present and available to answer questions.
Chairman Budner and staff said the material was helpful but that there was no action required by the commission at this time. The commission opened public comment on the item; no members of the public spoke.
Next steps assigned: the memos and engineering notes were placed on the record for future reference; the commission did not authorize repairs or gate changes during this meeting.
